Rami Malek Reveals Shocking Experience Of Alleged Racial Profiling By Police

Rami Malek has shared a shocking account of allegedly being racially profiled by police due to his appearance.

The Egyptian-American actor, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Cairo before his birth, revealed in a recent interview that he was once mistaken for a suspect in an alleged crime.

This isn’t the first time Rami Malek has opened up about challenges tied to his heritage.

The Oscar-winning actor recounted a harrowing experience with the Los Angeles Police Department.

“I got thrown on the bonnet of an [Los Angeles Police Department] cop car because someone had robbed a liquor store and stolen a woman’s bag,” Malek alleged in the interview with The Guardian. “They said the [thief] was of Latin descent and, ‘You fit the description.’”

Malek described the physical discomfort of the encounter, recalling, “I remember how hot that engine was; they must have been racing over there, and it was almost burning my hands.”

The actor added that his Caucasian friend stepped in to clarify his background, telling the officers, “Actually, sir, he’s Egyptian. Not Latin.”

Despite the serious nature of the situation, Malek noted that he found himself laughing nervously while pinned to the car. “I remember laughing on the cop car, thinking, ‘OK, this is a very precarious situation. I may well be going to jail for something I’ve not done.’”

Malek did not provide additional details about when the incident occurred or elaborate further in the interview. The Los Angeles Police Department has not issued a statement addressing Malek’s allegations.

Malek, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody," grew up in Los Angeles with his parents and twin brother, Sami. As children of Egyptian immigrants, their Middle Eastern heritage was a defining part of their identity.

“It’s difficult enough traveling. Don’t make it harder,” Malek shared in his interview with The Guardian, reflecting on the challenges he’s faced while navigating his identity. “I started to think, ‘What is happening?’ every time I tried to enter a country. These days, there might be a moment. Then they’ll go, ‘Nah, that’s the guy from 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' Let him through.’”

Malek’s sharp instincts were shaped by his upbringing in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, where he lived with his parents, Said and Nelly, and his siblings. His parents, who were Coptic Orthodox, immigrated to the U.S. in 1978 from Egypt. His older sister, Yasmine, is now an A&E doctor, while his twin brother, Sami, shared in the family’s early experiences as first-generation immigrants.

At home, the family spoke Arabic, and Malek didn’t learn English until he was about five or six years old. “I didn’t speak English until I was five or six,” Malek told The Guardian. He humorously recalled Sami returning from a visit to an aunt in Detroit with just two English words: “yes” and “no.” “I was infuriated that he was touting this ability to be bilingual,” Malek joked.

The Malek household was lively and culturally rich. They lived in a modest two-bedroom apartment filled with banter, or “nakkit” in Arabic, and the tantalizing aromas of Egyptian cuisine. Malek’s father, a butcher, taught the children how to properly prepare meat. “Very young, we were wielding knives, to the point where that happened …” he said, showing a scar between his thumb and forefinger.

Despite his global fame, Malek noted that the experiences of otherness linger. “I don’t know how you ever get over that,” he admitted. “I’m what’s called ‘white-passing,’ but I have very distinctive features, and we definitely didn’t fit in.”

Malek explained how his background shaped his perspective and intuition. “We just had an uncanny way of sensing people. … I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse. Sometimes I find it detrimental. You can’t help it,” he said.

For Malek, his heritage remains both a challenge and a source of pride, influencing his life experiences and shaping his journey in Hollywood and beyond.